Australian scientists have discovered the world's smallest goanna lizard - weighing barely 16 grams - in a remote region of the country.

The Western Australia Museum announced the discovery of the new species of goanna lizard from the Kimberley region.

The new species has been named 'Dampier Peninsula Goanna' while its scientific name is Varanus sparnus.

This group of charismatic lizards also contains large-bodied species such as the Australian desert-dwelling Perentie (Varanus giganteus) at over 2 metres long, and the famous Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) from Indonesia at over 3 metres long and over 80 kg (the largest lizard in the world).